Mumbai’s efforts to electrify its public transport system have hit a major roadblock, as only 536 electric buses have been delivered to the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) — a fraction of the 2,100 buses promised under a contract signed three years ago.
Despite the contract’s original deadline, BEST revealed that the remaining buses are now “proposed to be delivered” only by August 2025, severely affecting the city’s transport capacity.
The contractor company, Olectra Greentech, blamed the delays on supply disruptions from its technology partner, BYD, particularly concerning battery-fitted chassis. The slow deliveries have left Mumbai’s bus services strained, with commuters facing longer wait times and overcrowded buses.
BEST buses are critical for Mumbai, catering to over 30 lakh passengers daily across the city and its suburbs. However, the current fleet has shrunk to around 2,800 buses — a significant decline from 4,500 buses a decade ago — further compounding transport challenges.
A Series of Missed Deadlines
Under the wet lease model signed in May 2022, EveyTrans Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Olectra Greentech, was expected to deliver 2,100 electric buses within 12 months. Contract terms specified that 25% of the fleet should have been delivered within six months, another 25% within nine months, and the remaining half within a year.
However, as of March 2025, just 536 buses have been delivered. BEST has issued 27 notices to the company over the delays, with penalties of ₹20,000 imposed for each undelivered bus.
Even so, Olectra was awarded another contract in April 2024 to supply an additional 2,400 electric buses, raising concerns among experts about the handling of critical public transport projects.
Company Response and Challenges
Olectra stated that it has ramped up production by adding new assembly lines to meet delivery targets. A spokesperson cited legal battles and supply chain issues as the main causes of delay but reassured that efforts were underway to expedite the remaining deliveries.
The company also highlighted that the buses delivered so far are capable of covering up to 200 km per charge, reportedly exceeding the national average.
Currently, BEST operates over 950 electric buses, including contributions from Switch Mobility, Tata Motors, and its own in-house units, apart from those supplied by Olectra.
Worrying Trends for Mumbai’s Public Transport
Experts warn that Mumbai is falling behind international urban transport standards, which recommend at least 60 buses per lakh population. At present, Mumbai averages just 0.4 buses per 2,000 people.
“BEST’s goal is to operate a 10,000-bus fleet with 100% electrification. But progress has been slow — out of 5,330 electric buses ordered over the last five years, only 966 have been received so far,” said Suvedh Jaywant, a PhD scholar specializing in Urban Transport at McGill University.
The delay in expanding the fleet comes at a time when Mumbai’s growing population urgently needs reliable and sustainable mobility solutions.
